Chasing Harry Winston is a book written by Lauren Weisberger. This is a story of three best friends from college who are in their late twenties and who, one night, make a pact to make major changes in their lives - with a one-year deadline. The book starts with Emmy who knocks on Leigh's door and she is crying hysterically. She had been in a serious relationship for five years with her boyfriend and had wanted to get married and have a baby, but he never proposed and one day left her for his personal trainer. Leigh calls Adriana who comes over and they all start talking about their life situations. As they are all approaching thirty, they start reflecting on what they have accomplished thus far and realize they are not where they want to be. One night, they make a pact and decide to make some major changes in their lives, which goals they must reach within a year.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
- Adriana, a gorgeous woman who has no problem dating handsome men, has difficulty staying in relationships as she is commitment-phobic and likes to sleep around. She decides that, one year from now, she will be married and will have a Harry Winston ring around her finger and a house with her husband.
- Emmy, who had been in serious relationships all of her life, decides that she will do the unthinkable for a monogamist such as her - sleep around. In fact, Leigh decides to travel and sleep with different men from every continent.
- Leigh, which life seems perfect at first glance, doesn't think she needs to make any adjustment to her life and so decides she will figure out what her goal will be - eventually. She has the perfect boyfriend who adores her, a great career as a book editor and a great apartment.
Leigh is a workaholic who is unsatisfied with her boyfriend even though he does everything right and loves her to death. He gets on her nerves but she nevertheless stays with him - wanting to marry and have children and thinking this will pass. In the meantime, giving up her flirtatious ways is no easy feat for Adriana. She is a party girl, hates responsibility, doesn't work - she lives with her parents - and so continues to sleep around for a while. Emmy accepts a position that will give her the opportunity to travel the world while scouting new restaurant locations - which opportunity seems perfectly in line with the pact she has made with her friends: she will be able to have flings on every continent. She starts travelling for work, meets men and enjoys herself a little. Adriana sets her eyes on a man who seem like he would make a suitable husband, and starts dating him seriously; his name is Toby. Leigh's boyfriend proposes to her and she says yes. Leigh then meets a new client at her office and she becomes infatuated; his name is Jesse. Leigh and Jesse spend a lot of time working together and develop feelings, and she eventually breaks up with her boyfriend to be with Jesse as she realizes she truly loves him and doesn't love her boyfriend. Emmy, having experienced the single life, decides that sleeping around isn't for her. She has regained a sense of herself and even when her ex-boyfriend comes back into the picture, she refuses to take him back. One day, she runs into a man she had met on one of her business trips to Paris. They meet at a restaurant in Los Angeles while he is in town to take care of his niece. His name is Paul and they start dating.
The book ends as Leigh is now happily in a relationship with Jesse, Emmy is in a relationship with Paul, and Adriana ends her relationship with Toby as she realizes she doesn't want to be exclusive with anyone. The three girls remain as close as ever.
Best part of story, including ending:
I like this book as this is a summer read. The book is humorous, light and depicts the lives of somewhat confused twenty-something women who are the greatest friends and sometimes make decisions that are not exactly the best ones one should make.
Best scene in story:
When Emmy knocks on Leigh's door after her boyfriend had dumped her and Leigh calls Adriana who rushes to be at her friend's side. The girls share a great friendship and are always there for one another, and this scene is a perfect example of this great friendship.
Opinion about the main character:
The decisions they are making aren't always the smartest ones. For instance, the decision to sleep with different men from different continents is quite silly.
